TIFTON — A 31-year-old Ashburn woman was robbed at knifepoint and sprayed in the face with what is believed to be mace Thursday night in the Wal Mart parking lot. Law enforcement officers are urging holiday shoppers to use every precaution possible.

According to Shane Benefield, a detective at the Tifton Police Dept., the woman was shaken but not seriously injured.

“In this particular case, we are in the process of reviewing the video of it happening,” Benefield said. “There were several people in the parking lot at the time and we are encouraging anyone with any information to call us.”

Benefield said tipsters can remain anonymous and report information to the Tifton Police Dept. at 382-3132.

According to the police officer’s incident report, the incident occurred approximately 7:40 p.m. Wednesday. The woman, who is Hispanic, told him that she was about to get into her vehicle when a black female with a knife came from the front of her vehicle and stopped her from getting into her vehicle.

Then, the woman reported, another black female came from the rear area of her vehicle and sprayed her in the face with an unknown substance. One of the suspects then took the woman’s purse and both suspects ran east from the scene and got into a small black four-door car and left. Personnel with Tift County EMS checked the victim on the scene but she was not transported for treatment.

Benefield urges shoppers to use caution this shopping season.

“The way the economy has been, we need to make sure we always pay attention to our surroundings,” Benefield said.

Criminals are naturally going to assume women are easier targets than men, Benefield said.

“It could be that it is safer to shop in groups and ride along with others to shop,” Benefield said.

Additional holiday shopping and home safety tips include:

• Be aware of your surroundings and avoid concentrating so hard on shopping that you fail to keep track of your surroundings.

• Stay alert while loading and unloading items into or out of the vehicle or arranging packages.

• Carry car keys in your hand and be ready to unlock the door and enter as quickly as possible.

• As you approach your vehicle, scan the surrounding area and take a quick look inside your vehicle before entering.

• When parking, roll up all windows, lock the vehicle, take the keys and conceal valuables, preferably in the trunk.

• Using debit or credit cards is much safer than carrying cash.

• Carry purses with straps close to the body, especially when walking in the parking lot.

• If you have access to a cellular telephone, carry it with you. Remember that 911 will dial on all cell phones, even those that are not activated. In dark or deserted areas, walk with your cell phone in hand and be ready to dial.

• Shop with your friends or relatives if possible. There is safety in numbers.

• Keep a close eye on your children while shopping.

• Watch out for your friends and neighbors. If you see someone plundering around, call 911.

• When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspaper and mail.

• Displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home.

• Lock doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a few minutes.

• Take time to write down the model number, serial number and description of valuables. Place identifying numbers on Christmas gifts and keep this list in a safe place.

• Promptly report suspicious persons, vehicles or crimes to the local law enforcement agency and retail store security.



To contact senior reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4321.